Once a month, I bake for my co-workers. I let them give me requests and I try to bake something that’s up to their satisfaction.

Not too long ago, the request was Oreo cupcakes.

Now, Oreo cupcakes is actually somewhat of a vague request — do you want white cake, or chocolate? Oreos mixed into the batter? Oreos mixed into the frosting? Chocolate frosting, or vanilla? Buttercream frosting, whipped cream, or maybe a ganache? There are so many variables!

Luckily, my requester clarified: chocolate cake, with Oreos mixed in. Chocolate frosting. Simple enough. I scrolled through my recipes to see which kind of combo would work best for this cupcake order and got to work that weekend.

The result was pretty delicious. I made sure that each cupcake had generous chunks of Oreo mixed into the batter. The chocolate frosting was extra creamy and rich. And each cupcake was topped with half an Oreo. Overall, a success!

Directions:
1. Make the Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare a muffin tin with 12 paper liners.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Next, mix in the wet ingredients: milk, oil, vanilla, and hot coffee. Finally, mix in the eggs.
3. Divide the batter among the muffin mold and bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes.
4. Make the Icing: In a medium bowl, whip the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and cocoa powder. Whip until the mixture appears crumbly. Add the hot water and vanilla and whip again, until smooth.
5. Allow the cupcakes to cool. Pipe the icing onto each cupcake. Cut the Oreos in half, and put one on top of each cupcake.